GE CLST M72A Lecture Notes - Lecture 1: Castration, Stria Terminalis, Endocrinology
2 Oct 2016
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Behavioral endocrinology: study of hormonal processes and neuroendocrine systems that influence and regulate behavior. Testosterone: naturally occurring steroid hormone - a family of related androgen hormones. Causes muscle buildup, hair growth, reduced blood vessel health, liver biochemical levels are altered, and neurological influence: genes direct testosterone : turn building blocks into either estrogen or testosterone regulate speed at which liver breaks down t. How much/how effective t is: but genes don"t actually influence male behavior that much. Aggression increases the secretion of testosterone -- it isn"t the other way around. Amygdala: two almost shaped group of nuclei deep in the temporal lobes of the brain, part of the limbic system: instinct and mood: amygdala communicates with hypothalamus: emotion-related activity through cable called stria terminalis. Genetic behavior is meaningless outside of the social factors and environment in which it occurs. Main point/thesis: testosterone isn"t causing the aggression just elevating it. Outside factors don"t account for a third variable.
